AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
Truffula ™ Pink globe amaranth ( Gomphrena pulchella ) . pic by Proven Winners .
Gomphrena(also known as globe amaranth ) is one of those flower with such resistless spell that you ’ll be look for opportunities to use it everywhere in your garden . This old - fashioned annual produce a plethora of pompom - like blooms all summer long and works as well in container arrangements , garden beds , and borders to provide long - lasting color and pastime .
This sun lover is rut and drought large-minded , too , and require fiddling care once established . And if you like to maturate your own cut blossom , globe amaranth is one of the best . The more you cut it , the more it blooms , and when dried , the flowers hold onto their colour indefinitely .
On this pageboy : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties of Gomphrena|Frequently Asked Questions|Design Ideas
On this Sir Frederick Handley Page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Gomphrenaspp .
Common names:
Globe amaranth , earth prime , bachelor ’s button ( a cognomen shared by several different plants )
Plant type:
Annual
Exposure:
Full sunlight
Bloom time:
other summertime until hoar
Height:
Varies by type , grade from nanus cultivars that farm 6 to 8 in tall to others , such as ‘ firework ’ , that can grow as tall as 4 infantry .
Flower colors and characteristics:
trefoil - like flowerheads are actually made up of colorful bracts ( alter leaf that resemble petal ) in shades of purple , pink , red , orange , or white . The true flush are petite and barely perceptible , but if you look closely you ’ll see them peeking out from between the papery bract layer .
Foliage:
Typically narrow and elliptical , varying in color from abstruse green to blue - green .
HOW TO PLANT GOMPHRENA
Where to plant:
Grow in a site that meet full sunshine ( at least 6 hour of direct sunlight daily ) . AlthoughGomphrenacan bear partial shade , the flowers wo n’t be quite as abundant .
When to plant:
Set out bedding works 2 to 3 workweek after thelast spring frost appointment . If growing from seeds , begin them indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring icing or dust them directly in the garden once the soil has warm up , cover them with a thin layer of all right soil .
Soil:
industrial plant in mediocre , well - drained land . Globe amaranth is n’t picky when it number to soil type , and will even tolerate inadequate or arenaceous soil as long as it has sound drain .
Plant spacing:
earth amaranth does n’t like to be crowd , so allow sufficient human elbow elbow room between plant to secure beneficial air circulation . When produce in sight , space plant at least a foot aside .
GOMPHRENA CARE
Water:
Although drought tolerant once establish , Gomphrenawill benefit from extra hydration during draw out dry spells . water supply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch , taking care to water plant at the soil origin to keep the leaves dry and prevent fungal diseases .
Amendments and fertilizer:
This light eater does n’t need much fertilizer to thrive . Incorporating some compost or other constitutive thing into the soil at planting time will usually supply enough nourishment for a summer ’s Charles Frederick Worth of flower . If the lineament of your garden territory is hapless , mix a slow - vent chondritic fertiliser into the soil for an redundant nutritional boost .
For container - originate plant , use a high - quality potting mix containing a uninterrupted - release plant food . Be deliberate not to over - inseminate , which will encourage the plant to produce more foliage instead of flowers .
Pruning and deadheading:
Earth amaranth does not need pilfer or deadheading to put on a continuous show of blooms . However , if you want to encourage bushier emergence , especially when get taller motley , you’re able to pilfer back plant by about half early in the growing season , cutting the stems just above a set of leaves . snip off the blossom for enjoyment as cut flowers will also encourage ramify and encourage a raw gush of bloom of youth later in the season .
Pests and diseases:
stand most coarse insect pests , as well as cervid and rabbits . Powdery mildewand leaf spot can sometimes be problems , especially if there is poor atmosphere circulation between plants . ( get moredeer - tolerant annuals and perennial . )
VARIETIES OF GOMPHRENA
Truffula ™ Pink world amaranth . Photo by Proven Winners
Truffula ™ Pink — purchase now from Proven WinnersGomphrena pulchella
Tufted orbs of spicy - pinko flowers seem to dance in the wind above well - branched mounds of narrow leafage . bloom all summer long and beyond , often going strong well into October . Excellent for usance as a thriller or filler in garden seam and container combinations .
Height:22 to 28 inchesSpread:22 to 26 in
2023 National Annual of the Year
photograph by Duckeesue / Shutterstock
' Strawberry Fields’Gomphrena haageana’Strawberry Fields '
Has stupefy smart red blossom that resemble strawberry in both colour and condition , held atop long , sturdy prow . The vivid red flowers bear their color exceptionally well when dry .
Height:18 to 24 inchesSpread:12 inches
pic by Nomis_h / Shutterstock
' Fireworks’Gomphrena globosa’Fireworks '
Fuchsia - colored bracts accented by tiny chicken flowers resemble an explosion of fireworks on this tall , 4 - foot flora . butterfly and bees will flock to the brightly colourize salad days , which are produce in profusion until the first hard frost . A large option for the back of a sunny border .
Height:3 to 4 feetSpread:3 to 4 groundwork
Photo by Rock Giguere / Millette Photomedia
Ping Pong ® PurpleGomphrena globosa’Ping Pong Purple '
thick majestic ball - shaped bloom bring vibrant colour and a distinctive silhouette to garden beds and perimeter . Striking when plant en masse shot or in combining withyellow - blossom annuals and perennials , such as sunflowers and coreopsis .
Height:16 to 20 inchesSpread:8 to 10 inchesOther colors in the series : White , lavender
Photo by JJL Greenhouse , Inc. / Flickr
QIS ™ CarmineGomphrena haageana’QIS Carmine '
bright carmine cerise blossom appear in summer , arise above lissom blue - green foliage . A superb cutting peak , with a vase life of 2 weeks or longsighted .
Height:24 to 26 inchesSpread:8 to 10 inchesOther colors in the series : Orange , red
picture by Missouri Botanical Garden
' sidekick Purple’Gomphrena globosa’Buddy Purple '
This dwarf selection features goody globe - mould flower perch above dense mound of attractive dark-green leave . Because of its short prow , it ’s not as bouquet - friendly as other varieties . However , the compact size makes it a good choice for the front of the border , as an edging plant , or for use inrock gardens .
Height:8 to 12 inchesSpread:8 to 12 inchesOther coloring in the series : White , uprise
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IsGomphrenaan annual or perennial?
Although it can be grow as a perennial in meek clime ( zona 9 - 11 ) , it is treat as a warm - time of year annual elsewhere . ( See : Understanding the Difference Between Annual and Perennial Plants . )
Can I grow globe amaranth from seed?
Yes , Gomphrenais gentle to circularise from seed . However , the sprouting charge per unit is low , so if you are planting seed in the give , inseminate them evenly and liberally . you’re able to slim down out the seedlings later when they reach a tallness of 1 to 2 inches . ( study your own plants from seed . )
How do I dry globe amaranth flowers?
Harvest the bloom after the efflorescence have fully opened and disrobe the leaves from the stems . Tie the bare stanch in bunches and give ear the flowers upside down to dry out in a well - air place , out of direct sun . Once dried , the flowerheads are great additions to floral arrangement and craft projects . The next spring , you may jam the dry flowers and throw away them into the garden to release the cum for another time of year of blooms .
Are globe amaranth plants toxic?
No . In fact , all parts of the plant are eatable and pose no scourge to people or brute . The flowers are sometimes used to brew teas that are said to have anti - oxidant and medicinal holding .
Is globe amaranth invasive?
No . AlthoughGomphrenamay ego - seed under the right condition , the seedlings are well-situated to remove from area where they are undesirable . Not to be confused with the larger Palmer amaranth ( Amaranthus palmeri ) which has been ruled invasive in many area .
IDEAS FOR USING GOMPHRENA
habituate in container gardens as a tall accent flora , combining it with a mounding flora , such asverbenaorcalibrachoa , for a full , lavish looking . ( See thiscolorful container formula ) . Photo by Proven Winners .
Grow in the trend garden for use in both fresh and dehydrated flower arrangements . ( Shown : Truffula ® Pink globe amaranth combined with blueangeloniaandSuncredible ® jaundiced sunflowers . ) Photo by Proven Winners .
Plant in apollinator garden , along with other Sunday - loving annuals and perennial that are highly attractive to bees and butterfly . ( See thispollinator garden landscape design ) . Photo by Proven Winners .
Plant tall , airier cultivar in borders among other sun lovers , such assalviaandfirecracker plant , to total texture and bm . Because globe amaranth is load up with flowers from planting prison term until Robert Lee Frost , you wo n’t demand many industrial plant to make a big impact . Photo by Proven Winners .
Use to add vibrant coloration and impulsive beauty to an informal cottage - expressive style garden , along with other traditionalcottage garden favourite . ( judge thiscottage garden combination . ) Photo by Proven Winners .
